Unit 12: Kinetics and Nuclear Chemistry—Rates of Reaction

Video

Wilton L. Virgo

Dr. Wilton L. Virgo is a quantum physical chemist with more than 10 years of expertise in performing state-of-the-art research in laser spectroscopy and the development of molecular theory. Dr. Virgo's cutting-edge work has been published in the top scientific physics and chemistry journals. He has authored two books, "Quantum Mechanics in Everyday Life" and "The Equations of Chemistry," for the advancement of science education. Dr. Virgo received his Ph.D. from Arizona State University and has performed chemical physics laser research at Princeton University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Arizona State University, MIT and Wellesley College.

From an instantaneous explosion to the slow rusting of iron, the rates at which different chemical reactions proceed can vary tremendously depending on several factors, including temperature and concentration. Sometimes, like with the rotting of food, chemists want to slow down reaction rates. But often, the goal is to speed them up—and one way to do this is to use a catalyst. In this video, we will learn about catalysts and how using them can lead to cheaper, more effective, and more sustainable drug production processes. We will also discover how the rates of some reactions, like nuclear decay, are unchangeable, and how scientists take advantage of this, using PET scans to reveal the presence of disease.